Editing TiVo (section)

===Privacy concerns===
TiVo collects detailed usage data from units via broadband Internet. As units are downloading schedule data, they transmit household viewing habits to TiVo Inc. Collected information includes a log of everything watched (time and channel) and remote keypresses such as fast forwarding through or replaying content.<ref>[http://www.cs.uml.edu/~dm/pubs/TiVo%20report.htm TiVo's Data Collection and Privacy Practices<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928062056/http://www.cs.uml.edu/~dm/pubs/TiVo%20report.htm |date=September 28, 2011 }}</ref> Many users were surprised when TiVo released data on how many users rewatched the [[Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy|exposure of Janet Jackson's breast]] during the [[Super Bowl XXXVIII|2004 Super Bowl]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Charny|first1=Ben|title=TiVo watchers uneasy after post-Super Bowl reports|url=http://www.cnet.com/news/tivo-watchers-uneasy-after-post-super-bowl-reports/|access-date=April 30, 2016|work=[[CNET]]|date=February 6, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418123012/http://www.cnet.com/news/tivo-watchers-uneasy-after-post-super-bowl-reports/|archive-date=April 18, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> TiVo records usage data for their own research and they also sell it to other corporations such as advertisers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/26/technology/26adco.html|title=TiVo Is Watching When You Don't Watch, and It Tattles|first=Saul|last=Hansell|date=July 26, 2006|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=February 23, 2017|archive-date=January 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115194825/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/26/technology/26adco.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Nielsen ratings|Nielsen]] and TiVo have also previously collaborated to track viewing habits. This data is sold to advertising agencies as a way of documenting the number of viewers watching specific commercials to their corporate clients.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dmnews.com/simulmedia-to-use-tivo-data/article/246249/ |date=18 June 2012 |title=Simulmedia to use TiVo data |publisher=Direct Marketing News |access-date=June 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622020710/http://www.dmnews.com/simulmedia-to-use-tivo-data/article/246249/ |archive-date=June 22, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

TiVo has three levels of data collection. By default, the user is in "opt-out" status, where all usage data is aggregated by ZIP Code, and individual viewing habits are not tracked. Certain optional features and promotions require the user to opt in, and individual information is then collected for targeted show suggestions or advertising. Users can request that TiVo block the collection of anonymous viewing information and diagnostic information from their TiVo DVR.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tivo.com/abouttivo/policies/tivoprivacypolicy.html |title=Privacy Policy |website=Tivo.com |date=June 23, 2009 |access-date=October 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116120912/http://www.tivo.com/abouttivo/policies/tivoprivacypolicy.html |archive-date=November 16, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>